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3D printing has changed the way many people build, work, and play. It has allowed users to create their own replacement parts for appliances, to construct new products, or to build ideas, all through 3D models and printers available to anyone. As 3D printing is a new technology, it still has some quirks to work out, and Spark from Autodesk is designed to work them out.

Spark

Spark is an open platform designed by Autodesk. It is designed to be the fundamental experience for end users when creating 3D models and making 3D prints. Autodesk intends for Spark to be implemented by manufacturers, material scientists, and engineers to streamline the 3D printing process. Because the cost of materials and printers, and the time involved designing 3D models are so vital, performing trial-and-error operations are wasteful and slow in making optimum designs. Spark is poised to reduce this waste and to allow developers, designers, and manufacturers work cooperatively in maturing 3D printing technology.

Hardware and Software

As Spark is a platform for 3D printing, it combines a hardware and software solution together that others can use as they desire. The software can be used with any 3D printer, and the printer is designed to be open for other implementations. Combining hardware and software together as a solution for the problems seen with 3D printing makes it easier for designers and users to configure the solution to their own needs. It will help open up 3D printing to many more consumers than to those who are currently enjoying its benefits.

Open Source Licensing

Spark is revolutionizing 3D printing by providing a hardware and software solution together for implementing 3D models and making prints. This change is further supported by the open source licensing model that Autodesk is pursuing with the Spark platform. Autodesk has acknowledged that it desires its Spark software to be used by other 3D printers, but what is more interesting is that Autodesk has opened up the design of their own hardware to be emulated by other companies. Autodesk is using open source licensing as a tool to establish themselves as the first source for dependable and worthwhile 3D printing solutions for all levels of consumers.

3D printing is a new and fascinating technology. It allows everyday people to repair, build, and create products like never before imagined. Even with such potential, there are still some bugs to work out in the 3D printing technology. Autodesk has released Spark, a 3D printing platform. It is designed to streamline the 3D printing process in order to become the standard end user experience.